Rena Owen Steals The Show in Disney’s Live-Action Moana

Tiny Bubbles, Pearly Shells, Don Ho and hula are imbedded within my early childhood when my Dad was stationed in Kailua, Hawaii.  I  still remember learning pidgin (a language that natives speak), the meanings and movements of Hula, leaving my shoes at the door (a habit I still embrace today) and running my first and only marathon up and over Diamondhead.  Being able to visit Hawaii and its culture once more within the newly released Disney live-action animated feature “Moana” was something I had looked forward to for quite some time.

Directed by Hamilton’s Thomas Kail with music by Lin Manuel-Miranda alongside , Opetaia Foaʻi and  Mark Mancina (who contributed some new music), “Moana” stays true to its animated origins weaving the tale of  a young warrior Moana (Catherine Lagaʻaia) who answers the Ocean’s call and, for the first time, voyages beyond the reef of her island of Motunui with the infamous demigod Maui (Dwayne Johnson) on an unforgettable journey to restore prosperity to her people.

Watching over 200 actors from the Pacific, including principals Catherine Lagaʻaia, Dwayne Johnson (who also serves as a
producer), Rena Owen (Gramma Tala),  John Tui (Chief Tui), Frankie Adams (Sina) and Jemaine Clement,
returning as the voice of the glitzy giant singing crab Tamatoa, represent Hawaiian culture in all its authenticity is rare and wonderful to behold.  With every costume, note, production design, makeup, etc… there is no doubt audiences are being brought into the ‘ohana of Moana’s world.

However, from the killer coconuts forward is when the film really picks up momentum…but not much.  After beating more than 30,000 hopefuls for the title role, Lagaʻaia is sweet faced until she isn’t and really leans into the spirit of Moana.  However, for her big number and Johnsons’ signature tune “You’re Welcome,” their energy  is  lackluster and not as dynamic as it should be for a live-action version when they are performing solo.  As a duo, they are dynamite and the energy picks up exponentially.   In many instances, the animated tattoo on Maui’s arm seems to be a better actor than the one on screen inhabiting the role.  As a fan of Johnson, it brings me joy to state that, but as someone with extensive musical credit, I have call a spade a spade.

Rena Owen was a standout for me.  Her portrayal of Gramma Tala was simple, nuance, heartfelt and near perfection. Her vocal prowess isn’t particularly strong, but it’s only natural for a woman who slightly older to sound slightly seasoned with a raspier, textured tone. She literally steals the show from its lead characters in every sense of the word.

Will the kids enjoy “Moana?”  Absolutely!  It’s the adults who might wanna sit this one out.